25 years ago: Record turn-out for election day

Voters flooded the local polls for election day and the county clerk predicted a final record turnout in excess of 30,000. The existing record of 29,121 had been set in 1980. Lines at polling sites were the longest many observers could recall.

One of the state’s largest telephone service disruptions in recent years had left more than 10 percent of local homes and businesses with service for a second day after a major artery had been sliced at 19th and Massachusetts in the resetting of a light pole. Four big phone cables had been affected by a Kansas Power and Light crew. More than 5,500 phones in the area had been knocked out.

Bad feeling continued between local teachers and the school board as contract negotiations had turned sour and both sides were displeased with the rate of progress.

A $550,000 gift to the Kansas University Endowment Association from the estate of J. Clifton Ramsey, longtime Lawrence businessman, was to be set up as a loan fund for students.